Yo-yo having a push-button locking mechanism

ABSTRACT

The invention is a yo-yo that includes a user-actuable locking mechanism. The locking mechanism makes use of a laterally translatable assembly having a push button at each end and a center rotatable spool to which the yo-yo&#39;s tether is attached. Using the locking mechanism, a user can set the yo-yo so that the spool is either free to rotate, or must rotate with the yo-yo&#39;s sides. The yo-yo is also adapted for use with a spring-powered winder.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application No.61/186,879 filed on Jun. 14, 2009, and wherein said application ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a yo-yo that includes a user-actuable lockingmechanism. The locking mechanism employs a push-button located on eachside of the yo-yo and enables a user to adjust the yo-yo in a mannerwherein a spool engaged to the yo-yo's tether is either free to rotate,or is locked to, and must rotate with, the yo-yo's side portions. Thelocking mechanism also facilitates use of the yo-yo with a winder of thetype normally used with spin tops.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most yo-yos typically comprise two disk-shaped side portions that arerigidly connected to each other by some form of axle structure. The sideportions are usually of unitary construction and may be made out ofplastic, metal or wood. The axle structure is secured to the center ofboth side portions and can be an assembly of multiple parts, a threadedrod, a dowel or a riveted pin. In many modern yo-yos, a spool, bearingor other member is secured to, and has at least a portion rotatable on,a center portion of the axle structure.

The axle structure also forms an anchor for an end-located loop portionof a string-type tether. The free end of the tether is usually tied tocreate a second loop portion that can be placed about one of a user'sfingers to thereby temporarily secure the yo-yo to the user's hand.

When one end of the tether is secured to a user's finger and theremainder of the tether is wound about the axle structure, the yo-yo isready for use. When the yo-yo is released, or thrown, from the user'shand, the yo-yo will begin to rapidly rotate as it moves away from theuser's hand. Once the tether is fully unwound, the yo-yo may “sleep” atthe end of the tether, whereby the yo-yo's side portions continue torotate without the tether rewinding about the axle structure. Once theyo-yo is sleeping, there are a number of tricks, such as “walk the dog,”that a person can perform with the sleeping yo-yo. A sleeping yo-yo isalso often used to perform tricks that involve temporarily placing thespinning yo-yo onto a portion of the tether intermediate of the tether'stwo ends.

When a typical yo-yo is sleeping at the end of the tether and the userwishes to make the yo-yo return, the user will make a quick tug/jerk onthe tether. This will result in a brief tightening of the tether, whichis then automatically followed by a temporary slackening of the tether.Once the tether goes slack, the tether's twist will cause one or moreportions of the tether located proximate the axle structure to move, andthereby contact, a rotating portion of the yo-yo. Once contact hasoccurred, the tether portion can start moving with the rotating portionof the yo-yo. The rotation of the yo-yo then causes the tether to windabout the axle structure, resulting in the yo-yo's return to the user'shand.

Every yo-yo has three crucial performance characteristics that determinethe yo-yo's ability to perform tricks. They are the yo-yo's potentialsleep time, its ability to return on command, and whether the yo-yo issmooth on the tether.

Concerning a yo-yo's sleep time, the longer the yo-yo can be made tosleep, the more time a user will have to complete any particular yo-yotrick. While some tricks can be performed quickly, others require ayo-yo that is capable of sleeping for a relatively long period of time.

Concerning a yo-yo's ability to return on command, this describes theyo-yo's ability to return to the user's hand when the user commands saidreturn via an appropriate movement of the yo-yo's tether. For a yo-yo toreturn on command when it is sleeping, the structure and design of theyo-yo must be such that when the tether briefly goes slack, a portion ofthe tether can become locked to a rotating portion of the yo-yo. In mostyo-yos, the ease with which the tether can become locked to a spinningportion of the yo-yo, the yo-yo's “responsiveness,” is enhanced throughthe use of engagement adaptations, such as raised tether engagementmembers, located on the tether-facing surface of both of the yo-yo'sside portions.

Concerning a yo-yo's ability to be smooth on the tether, this refers toa yo-yo's ability, when it is sleeping at the end of the tether, to betemporarily placed on a medial portion of the tether without the tetherbecoming locked to a spinning portion of the yo-yo. An example of atrick that requires a yo-yo to be smooth on the tether is “man on thetrapeze.”

A beginning yo-yo player will normally be able to quickly master havingthe yo-yo return on command when using a yo-yo that has its tethersecured directly to the yo-yo's axle structure, or to a member that isfixedly secured to said structure and therefore rotates with the sideportions. The added friction of the tether rubbing on said axlestructure/member greatly enhances the yo-yo's ability to return oncommand since said friction predisposes the tether to wrap about theaxle structure. However, it will usually be extremely difficult for thebeginning yo-yo player to get this type of yo-yo to sleep. Should saidplayer get the yo-yo to sleep, the friction between the tether and theaxle structure/member will tend to severely limit the yo-yo's ability tosleep for any significant time. As noted previously, the ability tosleep for an extended period of time is necessary for the performance ofmany yo-yo tricks.

In a yo-yo in which the tether is secured to a member that is rotatablysecured to the axle structure and therefore can rotate relative to theyo-yo's side portions, friction between the tether and the axlestructure is greatly reduced, thereby making the yo-yo much easier for abeginning player to make sleep. However, the lack of friction betweenthe tether and the axle structure creates two problems for the beginningyo-yo player. Firstly, the lack of friction makes this type of yo-yomuch harder to get to return on command. Secondly, should the playerneed to manually rewind the tether about the axle structure, the lack offriction may create a situation where the player moves the tether in acircular motion about the yo-yo's axle structure and the rotatablemember just rotates with the tether instead of the tether winding aboutthe axle structure.

There are auto-return yo-yos in which the tether is secured to a spoolthat is rotatably secured to the yo-yo's axle structure but is onlyallowed to rotate relative to said structure when the yo-yo is rotatingat a high rate of speed. In this type of yo-yo, the yo-yo will readilysleep for a limited time and then, once the yo-yo's rotational speed hasdecreased a predetermined amount, a centrifugally-actuated lockingmechanism causes the spool to become locked to one of the yo-yo's sideportions. Once the spool becomes locked, the yo-yo will usuallyimmediately return to the user's hand due to the significant increase infriction between the tether and the spool. The locked spool alsofacilitates a player being able to manually rewind the tether about theaxle structure. However, while the beginning yo-yo player is benefitedby this functionality, the mechanism becomes problematic once the yo-yoplayer's skills even slightly improve. At that point, the user will notwant to cede control of the yo-yo to the auto-return mechanism.Furthermore, for the more advanced player, the added weight of theauto-return mechanism may make the yo-yo less responsive.

It is also known in the art to have a user-adjustable auto-returnmechanism. In such a system, the user can set the yo-yo so that theauto-return mechanism will cause the yo-yo to return to the user's handafter a certain number of revolutions, or once the yo-yo's rotation hasslowed by an amount set by the user.

Multi-mode yo-yos have also recently become known in the art. This typeof yo-yo includes a rotatable spool to which the tether is attached, acentrifugally-actuated auto-return mechanism, and a three-positionswitch. In a first position of the switch, the spool is locked to a sideportion. In a second switch position, the centrifugally-actuatedauto-return mechanism causes the yo-yo to automatically return to theuser's hand once the yo-yo's rotational speed has decreased to apredetermined level. In a third position of the switch, the spool iscontinuously free to rotate relative to the yo-yo's side portions.However, this type of yo-yo is fairly complex and requires therelatively heavy centrifugally-actuated auto-return mechanism for itsfunctionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a yo-yo that includes a user-actuable lockingmechanism. The locking mechanism makes use of a laterally translatableassembly having a push button at each end and a center-located rotatablespool to which the yo-yo's tether is attached.

By pressing one of the push-buttons, a user places the locking mechanisminto a “locked” mode in which the spool is pushed into one of theyo-yo's side portions and is thereby rotatably locked to said sideportion. When in the locked mode, while the yo-yo cannot easily sleep atthe end of the tether, it will readily return to the user's hand.Furthermore, with the spool rotatably locked to the yo-yo's sideportions, it is easy to manually wind the tether about the axlestructure.

By pressing the locking mechanism's other push-button, a user places theyo-yo into its “unlocked” mode whereby the spool is pushed toward theyo-yo's other side portion but does not lockably engage said sideportion. As a result, the spool is free to rotate relative to theyo-yo's side portions whereby the yo-yo will readily sleep at the end ofthe tether.

The spool is configured to enable the above-described selective lockingengagement. The spool features a plurality of longitudinally-orientedslots proximate one end and a reduced diameter section proximate itsother end. When the spool is pushed toward one of the side portions, atab located in a body member of that side portion engages one of thespool's slots and thereby locks the spool to the body member. When thespool is shifted toward the other side portion, the reduced diametersection of the spool clears a similar tab in the adjacent side portion'sbody member whereby the spool will not be locked to said side portionand will therefore by free to rotate relative to the yo-yo's sideportions.

A beginning yo-yo player would preferably initially set the lockingmechanism to its locked mode whereby the yo-yo's spool is engaged to oneof the yo-yo's body members. The user can then learn the feel of theyo-yo and have no trouble manually winding the tether about the axlestructure and getting the yo-yo to return whenever it reaches the end ofits tether.

As the user becomes more proficient with the yo-yo, he or she can setthe locking mechanism to its unlocked mode whereby the spool is free torotate relative to the yo-yo's body members. The user can then use theyo-yo to perform yo-yo tricks that require the yo-yo to sleep for anextended period of time.

For the beginning yo-yo player, a kit can be provided that includes awinder and a yo-yo. The yo-yo includes a locking mechanism in accordancewith the invention and is adapted for use with said winder. Said windercan then be used to provide a shortcut for placing the yo-yo into asleeping condition, and also for winding the tether about the yo-yo'saxle structure.

The invention, in its most basic form, is a yo-yo that is uniquely, andeasily, adaptable for use by yo-yo players of all skill levels. Theyo-yo can initially be purchased to meet the needs of a beginning yo-yoplayer. Once the player's skills improve, the player can set the yo-yo'slocking mechanism to allow free rotation of the yo-yo's spool, wherebythe yo-yo will readily sleep and the yo-yo can be used for performingadvanced yo-yo tricks. Unlike prior art yo-yos that employ anauto-return mechanism, the locking mechanism taught herein is simple inconstruction, relatively lightweight and provides the user with fullcontrol of the yo-yo. When said yo-yo is used with a winder, manualrewinding of the yo-yo is no longer required, and the winder provides ashortcut to having the yo-yo sleep at the end of the tether in acontrolled fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a yo-yo in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1, taken at the planelabeled 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially-exploded cross-sectional plan view of the yo-yoshown in FIG. 1, taken at the plane labeled 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partially-exploded front view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a partially-exploded perspective view of the yo-yo shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is another partially-exploded perspective view of the yo-yo shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1, taken atthe plane labeled 7-7 in FIG. 2 and wherein portions of the yo-yo areshown in phantom.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7, but shows the yo-yoin a different configuration and with portions of the yo-yo shown inphantom.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of the yo-yo shown in FIG. 1 wherein saidyo-yo is being used with a winder (shown in cross-section) in accordancewith the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Looking now to the drawings in greater detail, wherein like referencenumerals refer to like parts throughout the several figures, there isindicated by the numeral 1 a yo-yo in accordance with the invention.

The yo-yo 1 includes a first side portion 2 and a second side portion 4.The two side portions are connected together via an axle structure 6.The axle structure comprises an axle pin 8 that has exterior threads 9at each end. Inwardly of the threaded portions of the pin are shoulders10 that sandwich between them a center portion 11 of said pin. Theshoulders are designed to contact the yo-yo's side portions and maintainsaid side portions in a spaced-apart configuration. The axle pin has alongitudinal axis that is preferably co-linear with the yo-yo's axis ofrotation.

Rotatably located on said center portion 11 of the axle pin is a spool12. The spool is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape and hasfirst and second ends, 22 and 24 respectively. The center of the spoolincludes a thru-bore 26 through which the axle pin 8 extends. Thediameter of bore 26 is slightly greater than that of center portion 11of the axle pin to thereby enable the free rotation of the spool on theaxle pin. In the preferred embodiment, the spool is made of a plastic ormetal material. The surface 28 that defines bore 26 may be coated with alubricating and/or low-friction material, such as TEFLON, grease orgraphite.

Formed in the exterior of the spool proximate the spool's end 22 are aplurality of slots 30 that extend in a direction parallel to the spool'slongitudinal axis. Located between each pair of slots is an arrow-shapedportion 32 of the spool.

Located adjacent end 24 of the spool is a reduced diameter section 34 ofthe spool that has a diameter that is approximately equal to thediameter of the spool's center portion 11 less twice the depth of one ofthe spool's slots 30. The length of section 34 is approximately equal tothe length of one of the slots 30.

A string-type tether 33 includes an end-located loop portion 35 thatencircles a center part of the spool. The tether's distal end (notshown) will normally be tied to create a loop to enable a temporarysecurement of said end to one of a user's fingers.

The yo-yo's side portions, 2 and 4, are substantially identical to eachother and each is an assemblage of parts. Each side portion comprises ashuttle 36, a disk-shaped body member 38, a hex nut 40, a push button 42and a lens disk 44.

The shuttle 36 is preferably made of a plastic material and has awasher-shaped body 50, a front planar surface 52 designed to contact anend of the shuttle, a center-located thru-bore 54 through which the axlepin will extend, and two legs 56 that extend in a direction away fromsurface 52. Located on a distal part of each leg is anoutwardly-extending tab 58.

The body member 38 is preferably made of a rigid material and has a rimportion 60, a center-located thru-bore 62, at least one tab 64 (two areshown in the drawings) that extends into said thru-bore, aninwardly-facing surface 66, an outwardly-facing surface 68 that formsthe bottom of a cavity 69, and an outwardly-extending nipple portion 70centered in said cavity 69 and through which the thru-bore 62 extends.The nipple portion includes two side-located apertures 72 through whichthe distal portions of the shuttle's legs 56 extend when the yo-yo is inan assembled condition.

It should be noted that a large diameter portion of thru-bore 62 forms acircular cavity 74 in the body member's surface 66. The body member'stabs 64 extend into said cavity and wherein when the yo-yo is in anassembled condition, the shuttle's body, as well as a portion of thespool, will be located in said cavity. It should also be noted that thethru-bore 62 takes the form of a hexagonally-shaped cavity 76 at alocation proximate the distal end of the body member's nipple portion.

Located on surface 66 outwardly of cavity 74 are a plurality of optionaltether-engagement members 78 that are oriented in a radially-directedmanner and form a starburst-shaped array. Each tether engagement memberprotrudes from surface 66 in a direction toward said tether. The tetherengagement members function to facilitate an engagement between theyo-yo's tether and the body member when a user manipulates the tether ina manner to cause the yo-yo to return on command. Other known types ofsurface adaptations that facilitate tether engagement in yo-yos, such asindentations, spaced pads/protrusions, and the use of a material thathas a high coefficient of friction, may also be simultaneously, oralternatively, employed on, or in, surface 66.

When the yo-yo is in an assembled condition, a hex nut 40 isnon-rotatably secured in cavity 76 of the body member's nipple portion.The hex nut features a threaded thru-bore 56 in which the threads arecomplementary to the threads 9 located at each end of the axle pin.Attachment of the hex nut to a threaded portion of the axle pin providesthe means for securing the associated side portion to the axle pin.While not shown, the hex nut may include a deformable member in contactwith the axle pin whereby said hex nut acts as a lock nut.

Extending over the distal end of the body member's nipple portion andlocked to the legs 56 of the shuttle 36 is the push button 42. The pushbutton has an interior area 80, a distal end 82 that has an optionalrectangular aperture 83, and an open end 84. Located on each of twoopposite sides of the button's exterior, proximate end 84 is anoutwardly-extending tab 86. Located on each of two opposite sides of theinterior surface of the button is a narrow groove 88. When the yo-yo isin an assembled condition, the tabs 58 located on the shuttle's legswill be securely received within the button's grooves 88. This acts toconnect the push button to the shuttle in a manner whereby the pushbutton and shuttle move together as a single unit.

Covering the body member's cavity 69, and centered therein, is the lensdisk 44. The lens disk is secured to the cavity's sidewall via aninterference-type fit between a peripheral lip 90 of the disk and thecavity's sidewall 92. Other well-known releasable, or permanent,securement methods for the cap may alternatively be employed. Located atthe center of the lens disk is an aperture 94 that has a shapecomplementary to the side surface of the button 42.

Located at the center of the lens disk and extending inwardly toward thebody member is a tubular projection 96 of the lens disk. Said projectionis sized to inwardly receive at least a portion of the button 42. Eachof two opposite sides of the projection preferably includes a pair oflongitudinally-oriented slits 98 that extend to the button's end 84 andcreate between them an elongated finger portion 100 of said projection.The length and narrow width of each finger portion 100 allows it to flexto at least a small degree. When the yo-yo is in an assembled condition,tabs 86 of the push button will ride along and push outwardly on theinterior surface 102 of the finger portions 100. When a push button isfully depressed, its tabs 86 will just clear the distal end 104 of theportions 100, whereby said portions will spring inwardly since they areno longer being pushed outwardly by the tabs 86. Once the portions 100have moved inwardly, they act as detents whereby to move a button 42back out once it has been fully depressed requires the button's tabs 86to force the portions 100 to move in an outward direction away fromtheir “at rest” position. To facilitate the button's ability to push thefinger portions 100 outwardly, end 104 of each finger portion 100preferably has an optional protuberance 106 that provides a ramp surfaceas an initial contact area for the button's tab 86. In this manner, thetabs 86 interact with structure of the lens disk to maintain theposition of the button, i.e. in a pushed-in or pushed-out condition.

To change the locking mechanism's mode of operation, a user merelypresses in whichever one of the yo-yo's push buttons 42 is extendingoutwardly. For example, FIG. 7 shows the yo-yo 1 in a configuration inwhich the locking mechanism is in its unlocked mode whereby the spool 12is free to rotate. If a user desires to change the locking mechanism toits locked mode whereby the spool is locked to, and rotatable with, theyo-yo's side portions, the user presses in button 42 of side portion 2.As said button moves to the right, the button's tabs 86 slide on theinwardly-facing surface 102 of finger portions 100 of the adjacent lensdisk 44. Since the tabs 58 of the shuttle 36 of side portion 2 aresecured within the slots 88 of said button, rightward movement of thebutton causes an identical similar rightward movement of said shuttle.As said shuttle moves to the right, it immediately, or after a smallmovement, presses on end 24 of the spool to thereby cause the spool tomove to the right. It should be noted that as the spool moves to theright, end 22 of the spool immediately, or after a small movement,presses on, and moves to the right, the shuttle 36 of side portion 4. Asshuttle 36 of side portion 4 moves to the right, its connection tobutton 42 of side portion 4 causes said button to move to the right. Asthe button of side portion 4 moves to the right, its exterior tabs 86push outwardly on the adjacent finger portions 100 of the adjacent lensdisk whereby said tabs slid along the inwardly-facing surface of theportions 100.

As shown in phantom in FIGS. 7 and 8, as the spool traveled further intocavity 74 of the body member 38 of side portion 4, tabs 64 of said bodymember entered slots 30 in the spool's surface. This locks the spool tosaid body member whereby the spool can no longer freely rotate relativeto said body member. Once button 42 of side portion 2 is pressed fullyinwardly to substantially the maximum extent allowable, said button'stabs 86 go past the adjacent lens disk's finger portions 100 whereby theends of said portions 100 spring inwardly and are then positionedwhereby they act as a detent to hold said button in place. In thismanner, once one of the yo-yo's buttons 42 has been pressed inwardly tosubstantially its maximum predetermined extent, the spool and bothbuttons will stay in their shifted position until a user pressesinwardly on the other of the yo-yo's buttons. FIG. 8 shows yo-yo 1configured in its locked mode after the button 42 of side portion 2 hasbeen pressed in to its maximum extent.

When a user wishes to then place the locking mechanism back into itsunlocked mode whereby the spool is free to rotate relative to the sideportions, the user merely presses in the button 42 of side portion 4.The previously described process then proceeds in reverse. As the spoolis caused to move to the left, the tabs 64 of the body member of sideportion 4 withdraw from the spool's slots 30. As the left end 24 of thespool moves further into cavity 74 of the body member of side portion 2,the tabs 64 of that body member do not make contact with the spool sincethe diameter of the reduced diameter portion 34 of the spool is suchthat said body member's tab 64 cannot contact the spool. It should benoted that both of the yo-yo's body members 38 have tabs 64 in order toallow easy assembly of the yo-yo without the need to have specific leftand right body members. Should that not be a concern, the body member ofside portion 2 would not have any tabs 64 and the spool would not berequired to have a reduced diameter portion 34.

It should be noted that when the locking mechanism is in its unlockedmode, there will normally be either a loose contact between the shuttlesand the spool or there will be a small space/gap between the shuttlesand the spool. This enables the spool to rotate relative to the shuttleswithout any considerable friction between the shuttles and the spool. Acondition where there is a loose contact is one where the shuttles justtouch the spool without putting any significant pressure on said spool.As a result, when a user presses button 42 of side portion 2, movementof said button will cause the shuttle connected to said button tocontact, or more firmly contact, the spool before the spool is caused tomove laterally. In this manner, said button may move a minimal distancebefore the spool moves, and possibly another minimal distance before thebutton of side portion 4 is caused to move in the same direction.

FIG. 9 shows the yo-yo 1 being used with a winder 202. These twocomponents can be provided together in kit form to provide new andunique functionality. This combination is enabled by each of the yo-yo'spush buttons having an optional aperture 83 and each lens disk having atleast one projection 200. The winder 202 is shown in cross-section inFIG. 9 and comprises a rotatable axle 204, a coil spring 206, an outercasing 208 and a locking pin 210.

The axle 204 is preferably a cylindrical member made of a rigidmaterial, preferably metal or plastic, and has first and second endportions, 212 and 214 respectively. End portion 212 of the axle isnarrowed, with its extreme tip 216 having a rectangular configurationthat is sized and shaped to be a complementary fit within aperture 83 ofeither of the yo-yo's buttons 42. In this manner, tip 216 can beinserted into an aperture 83 and rotation of the tip can cause rotationof the yo-yo's side portions. While tip 216 of the axle's end portion212 has a rectangular cross-section, the remainder of portion 212 has around cross-section and extends through a complementary round aperture220 in the casing's front wall 222. End portion 214 of the axlepreferably also has a round cross-section and extends through acomplementary round aperture 224 in the rear wall 226 of the casing. Inthis manner, the axle is rotatably supported by the casing.

The coil spring 206 is preferably made of a metal material and has firstand second ends, 228 and 230, respectively. End 228 is fastened to thecasing's front wall 222, while end 230 is fastened to the axle 204.Fastening of the spring to the casing and axle may be accomplished bywelds, fasteners or any type of securement commonly used for securing amember.

The casing 208 is made of a rigid material, preferably plastic, and ispreferably in the form of a cylinder. The casing's front wall 222 and/orrear wall may be permanently, or removably, secured to the rest of thecasing.

The locking pin 210 is preferably a plastic or metal rod to which isfastened one end of a coil spring 232. The other end of the spring isfastened to the casing's front wall 22 whereby the spring biases saidrod in a direction toward the casing's front wall 222. As with spring206, fastening of spring 232 can employ any conventional fasteningmethod.

The locking pin features a tip 234 and a lever arm 236. Said tip issized and shaped to fit against the flat face 240 of one of theprojections 200 of the yo-yo's lens disk. The lever arm extends throughan aperture 242 in the casing and is designed to be graspable by a userwhereby said user can move said arm to thereby cause the locking pin tomove in a direction toward, or away from, the yo-yo 1.

It should be noted that while a movable locking pin is shown, the casingmay instead have at least one pin that extends outwardly from thecasing's front wall and is pivotally or fixedly secured to said wall.The pin would have a shape similar to tip 234 and would be positioned atthe same location as tip 234. When the tip is abutting one of theyo-yo's projections 200, a user would be able to disengage the tip fromthe yo-yo by pressing on the flat end surface 244 of the axle 204 whileholding onto the casing. This would cause the axle to move outwardlyfrom the front wall of the casing, thereby moving the yo-yo away fromthe casing until the pin disengages from the projection 200. The yo-yo'saperture 83 would preferably include a pair of ramped surfaces (notshown) of the type normally found in winder-actuated spin tops wherebysaid ramped surfaces would cause the winder's axle to disengage from theaperture 83 once the yo-yo's rotational speed exceeds that of the axle.

While a simple spring-powered type of winder is shown herein, otherwinders may alternatively be employed. For example, most of the types ofwinders that are used in conjunction with spin tops may be usable withthe yo-yo 1, with only minor modification of said winders and/or yo-yo 1possibly being required.

There are two primary uses for the winder. Firstly, for a user who hastrouble getting the yo-yo to sleep at the end of the tether, the winderprovides a shortcut to having the yo-yo sleep at the end of the tether.Secondly, for a user who wants to rapidly wind the tether about thespool, the winder automates the winding process.

To use the winder to achieve a sleeping yo-yo 1, a user initially setsthe yo-yo's locking mechanism to its unlocked mode (the configurationshown in FIG. 7) whereby the yo-yo's spool 12 is free to rotate. Theuser then engages the winder to the yo-yo by inserting tip 216 of thewinder's axle into aperture 83 of one of the yo-yo's button's 42. InFIG. 9, the winder is shown connected to the button of the yo-yo's sideportion 4. The winder's locking pin 210 is moved rearwardly and theyo-yo is then rotated relative to the winder's casing. This rotates thewinder's axle 204, thereby tightening the coils of the spring 206 andadding energy to said spring. Once spring 206 is tightly wound about theaxle 204, the user releases the locking pin and allows the pin's tip 234to engage the flat surface 240 of one of the projections 200 located onthe exterior surface of the adjacent lens disk 44 of the yo-yo.

Next, one end of the tether is secured to one of the user's fingers andthe yo-yo is allowed to hang downwardly from the user's hand, supportedby the tether. The user holds the winder with his or her other hand andpulls on arm 236 of the locking pin to disengage the tip of the lockingpin from the yo-yo. Since the locking pin is no longer engaged to theyo-yo, the torque applied to the axle 204 by the spring 206 causes therotation of the axle and also button 42 of the yo-yo's side portion 4.This results in the rotation of both of the yo-yo's side portions. Thewinder's axle is then disengaged from the yo-yo, leaving the yo-yosleeping at the end of the tether. Preferably, the yo-yo will now berotating at a sufficiently high speed to facilitate theperformance/practice of tricks that require a sleeping yo-yo.

In the second method of use for the winder, to quickly wind the tetherabout the spool, the user initially sets the yo-yo's locking mechanismto its locked mode (the configuration shown in FIG. 8) whereby theyo-yo's spool is locked to rotate with the yo-yo's side portions. Then,with the tether at least partially unwound from the yo-yo, the winder isengaged to the yo-yo in the previously described manner and the yo-yo isrotated relative to the winder's casing to thereby add energy to thewinder's spring. Once the spring has been sufficiently wound, thelocking pin 210 may be engaged to the yo-yo in the previously describedmanner. Then, while holding the winder, the user disengages the lockingpin from the yo-yo and allows the winder to rapidly spin the yo-yo. Thisresults in the tether winding about the yo-yo's spool. The winder canthen be disengaged from the yo-yo 1 whereupon the tether is fully woundon the spool and the yo-yo is ready for use.

It should be noted that the term “spool,” as used herein, is herebydefined as the portion of the yo-yo to which the tether is attached andthat can be made rotatable relative to the yo-yo's side portions. In thedrawings, the spool is shown as a unitary member 12 rotatable on theaxle pin. However, instead of a unitary member, a structure havingmultiple parts can be located on the axle pin and take the place of thespool 12. In that case, the spool would be the portion of saidmulti-part structure that is attached to the tether and can be made tobe rotatable relative to the yo-yo's side portions. For example, if thespool 12 is replaced by a ball bearing unit, the outer race of the ballbearing unit would be considered the spool.

The preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed herein have beendiscussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader with the novelaspects of the invention. Although preferred embodiments of theinvention have been shown and/or described, many changes, modificationsand substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the artwithout necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas described in the following claims.

1. A yo-yo comprising: first and second side portions secured togetherin a spaced-apart relation via an axle structure; a spool secured tosaid axle structure in a manner whereby said spool is capable ofrotating relative to said side portions and also of moving laterally onsaid axle structure; a tether secured to said spool; and a user-actuablelocking mechanism, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a firstmovable button in said first side portion and a second movable button insaid second side portion, wherein said buttons are operatively connectedto said spool in a manner whereby when one of said buttons is pressedand moves to a predetermined location, said spool is moved laterally onsaid axle structure whereby said spool becomes operatively engaged tostructure connected to said first side portion that causes said spool tobecome locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, andwherein when the other of said buttons is pressed by a user and moves toa predetermined location, said spool is moved laterally on said axlestructure whereby said spool disengages from said structure of saidfirst side portion and becomes capable of freely rotating relative tosaid first side portion.
 2. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein each of saidbuttons is operatively connected to said spool in a manner whereby whensaid first movable button is moved a predetermined distance in a firstdirection, the spool and the second movable button will also move insaid first direction, and wherein when the second movable button ismoved a predetermined distance in a second direction that is opposite tothe first direction, the spool and the first movable button will move insaid second direction.
 3. The yo-yo of claim 1 further comprising firstand second shuttles, wherein said first shuttle is at least partiallylocated in said first side portion and can contact said first button anda first end of said spool, wherein said second shuttle is at leastpartially located in said second side portion and can contact saidsecond button and a second end of said spool, and wherein when either ofsaid buttons is moved in a predetermined manner, said buttons, shuttlesand said spool can move as a single unit.
 4. The yo-yo of claim 3wherein there can be a space between said spool and said shuttleswhereby when said spool is rotating relative to said first side portion,said shuttles do not contact said spool.
 5. The yo-yo of claim 1 whereinsaid first side portion includes a body member having a thru-bore,wherein said body member has a tab that extends into said thru-bore,wherein said spool has first and second ends, wherein said spool has aslot located proximate its first end, and wherein when said spool islocked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, said spool willbe located whereby said tab in said body member is received within saidslot in said spool.
 6. The yo-yo of claim 5 wherein said second sideportion is substantially identical to said first side portion wherebysaid second side portion has a body member having a tab that extendsinto a thru-bore, wherein said spool has a reduced outer diameterportion proximate the spool's second end, and wherein when said spool isfreely rotatable relative to said first side portion, said spool will belocated whereby said spool's second end is positioned so that the tab ofthe second side portion's body member is located proximate said reducedouter diameter portion of said spool without said tab contacting saidspool.
 7. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein when one of said buttons has beenpressed whereby said spool is locked to, and rotatable with said firstside portion, a detent structure located in one of said side portionscan engage one of said buttons to thereby releasably lock one of saidbuttons in a substantially fixed position until a user causes saidbuttons to move in a manner that causes a lateral movement of saidspool.
 8. The yo-yo of claim 1 wherein when a particular one of saidbuttons is pressed and moves to a predetermined location, said spool ismoved laterally on said axle structure whereby said spool operativelyengages structure connected to said first side portion and therebybecomes locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion.
 9. Theyo-yo of claim 1 wherein said first side portion is adapted forengagement to a rotatable member of a winder, wherein said winderincludes apparatus that can generate a torque on said rotatable memberwhereby when said rotatable member is connected to said yo-yo, saidrotatable member can transmit said torque to said yo-yo to thereby causesaid side portions of said yo-yo to rotate.
 10. The yo-yo of claim 9wherein said winder includes a coil spring operatively connected to saidrotatable member, and wherein said spring functions to cause torque tobe applied to said rotatable member.
 11. A yo-yo comprising: first andsecond side portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation via anaxle structure; a spool secured to said axle structure in a mannerwhereby said spool is capable of rotating relative to said axlestructure and also is capable of being moved laterally on said axlestructure; a tether secured to said spool; and a user-actuable lockingmechanism, wherein said mechanism comprises a user-accessible membermovably secured to one of said side portions, wherein said member isoperatively connected to said spool in a manner whereby movement of saidmember can cause said spool to move laterally on said axle structure ina direction toward said first side portion whereby said spool can becomeconnected to structure in said first side portion that causes said spoolto be locked to, and rotatable with, said first side portion, andwherein said user-accessible member is also moved when said spool iscaused to move laterally on said axle structure in a direction away fromsaid first side portion whereby said spool is no longer connected tosaid structure in said first side portion that locked said spool to saidfirst side portion and said spool is thereby freely rotatable relativeto said first side portion.
 12. The yo-yo of claim 11 wherein said spooland said first side portion include interlocking structures wherebymovement of said spool toward said first side portion causes a mating ofsaid interlocking structures that causes said spool to be locked to, androtatable with, said first side portion.
 13. The yo-yo of claim 12wherein said interlocking structures comprise a slot in said spool and atab of said first side portion, and wherein said tab is sized and shapedto at least partially fit into said slot.
 14. The yo-yo of claim 11wherein said first side portion includes a body member having athru-bore, wherein said body member has at least one tab that extendsinto said thru-bore, wherein said spool has first and second ends,wherein said spool has a slot located proximate its first end, andwherein when said spool is locked to, and rotatable with, said firstside portion, said spool will be located whereby said tab in said bodymember is received within said slot in said spool.
 15. The yo-yo ofclaim 14 wherein said second side portion is substantially identical tosaid first side portion whereby said second side portion has a bodymember having a tab that extends into a thru-bore, wherein said spoolhas a reduced outer diameter portion proximate the spool's second end,and wherein when said spool is freely rotatable relative to said firstside portion, said spool will be located whereby said spool's second endis positioned so that the tab of the second side portion's body memberis located proximate said reduced outer diameter portion of said spoolwithout said tab contacting said spool.
 16. The yo-yo of claim 11wherein said first side portion is adapted for engagement to a rotatablemember of a winder, wherein said winder includes apparatus that cangenerate a torque on said rotatable member whereby when said rotatablemember is connected to said yo-yo, said rotatable member can transmitsaid torque to said yo-yo to thereby cause said side portions of saidyo-yo to rotate.
 17. A yo-yo consisting essentially of: first and secondside portions secured together in a spaced-apart relation via an axlestructure; a spool secured to said axle structure in a manner wherebysaid spool is capable of rotating relative to said side portions; atether secured to said spool; a user-actuable locking mechanism for saidspool, wherein said mechanism comprises a user-accessible member movablysecured to one of said side portions, wherein said member is operativelyconnected to said spool in a manner whereby a user can move said memberin a manner that causes said spool to be connected to locking structurein said first side portion whereby said spool becomes locked to, androtatable with, said first side portion, and wherein said member is alsomoved when said spool is caused to no longer be connected to saidlocking structure in said first side portion whereby said spool becomesfreely rotatable relative to said first side portion; and wherein saidlocking mechanism only has two modes of operation, wherein when saidlocking mechanism is in a first mode of operation, said spool is lockedto, and rotatable with, said side portions, and wherein when saidlocking mechanism is in a second mode of operation, said spool iscontinuously freely rotatable relative to said side portions.
 18. Theyo-yo of claim 17 wherein said spool and said first side portion includestructures that are interlocked when said spool is locked to, androtatable with, said first side portion.
 19. A yo-yo and winder kit,said kit comprising: a yo-yo having first and second side portionssecured together in a spaced-apart relation via an axle structure,wherein a spool is secured to said axle structure in a manner whereby atleast a portion of said spool is capable of rotating relative to saidside portions, wherein a tether is secured to said spool, and whereinsaid yo-yo includes a user-actuable locking mechanism that in a firstmode of operation, can cause at least a portion of said spool to belocked to, and rotatable with, said side portions, and wherein when saidlocking mechanism is in a second mode of operation, at least a portionof said spool is freely rotatable relative to said side portions; awinder that comprises an apparatus for storing energy and then creatinga torque on a rotatable member; and wherein said first side portion ofsaid yo-yo is adapted for engagement to said rotatable member of saidwinder whereby when said rotatable member is connected to said yo-yo,said rotatable member can transmit said torque to said yo-yo to therebycause said side portions of said yo-yo to rotate.
 20. The yo-yo of claim19 wherein said apparatus for storing energy comprises a coil springthat can be operatively connected to said rotatable member to cause atorque to be applied to said rotatable member.
 21. A method for using ayo-yo with a winder, wherein said yo-yo is of the type that has a tetherand a user-actuable locking mechanism that in a first mode of operation,can cause a spool to which the yo-yo's tether is attached to be lockedto, and rotatable with, side portions of said yo-yo, wherein when saidlocking mechanism is in a second mode of operation, said spool is freelyrotatable relative to said side portions, and wherein said winder is ofa type that comprises an apparatus for storing energy and then creatinga torque on a rotatable member, said method comprising: when the yo-yo'slocking mechanism is in its second mode of operation, attaching therotatable member of the winder to the yo-yo in a manner whereby rotationof said rotatable member can cause rotation of the yo-yo's sideportions; suspending the yo-yo via the yo-yo's tether; and enabling thewinder's rotatable member to rotate at a time when said winder hasstored energy that can cause torque to be applied to said rotatablemember, whereby said stored energy will be transformed into rotation ofthe winder's rotatable member and also rotation of the yo-yo's sideportions.